KMEA recognizes President Morgan, MSU students, faculty and alums
Morehead State University President Dr. Jay Morgan's leadership and support for music and music education recently received recognition from the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA).
The KMEA named President Morgan District 8 Administrator of the Year. This is Dr. Morgan's first time receiving this honor.
President Morgan is spearheading MSU's campus revitalization plan. This plan includes a new multidisciplinary academic building that will house MSU's music programs and feature new performance spaces and classrooms.
"Dr. Morgan announced his plan to propose a new multidisciplinary facility that included music during the 2023 KMEA conference, and in spring 2024, the plan for a facility was approved by the state legislature," said Dr. David Oyen, chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. "I have taught at Morehead State University since 1999, and many plans to replace or renovate Baird Music Hall have been proposed, but Dr. Morgan made it happen."
In addition to Dr. Morgan's KMEA honor, multiple MSU faculty, staff and alumni were also honored by the KMEA at their 2025 conference.
Students receiving KMEA honors include:
Kentucky Intercollegiate Band
- Caleb Akers - sophomore music education major, Harold
- Krayvin Ankney - freshman music education major, Mt. Sterling
- Emma Brown - freshman music education major, Morehead
- Sydney Colwell - sophomore music education major, Mt. Sterling
- Brenden Connelly - senior music major/art history minor, Louisville
- Dawson Dunning - junior music education major, Nicholasville
- Kaley Fetty - junior music education major, Ironton, Ohio
- Sarah Gollihue - sophomore music education major, Grayson
- Ivan Hargesheimer - senior astrophysics major/music minor, Louisville
- Hayden Hauck - senior music education major, Waverly, Ohio
- Makayla Jones - freshman music performance major, Stanton
- Darius Mink - junior music performance major, Somerset
- Bradley Moore - sophomore music education major, Pikeville
- Joshua Myers - junior music education major, Cynthiana
- Mason Pack - senior music education major, Louisa
- Kaci Peniston - freshman music education major, Mt. Sterling
- Caleb Pitts - sophomore psychology major/music minor, Maysville
- Alura Schaum - junior social studies teaching major, Cynthiana
- Logan Smalley - junior music education major, Flemingsburg
- Clayton Stewart - junior music education major, Owenton
- Kayli Stafford - junior music education major, Dry Ridge
- Braeden Trent - junior music education major, Morehead
- Katelynn Webb - graduate student Master of Arts in Music Performance candidate, Morehead
Kentucky Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble
- Trent Litteral - senior jazz studies major, Ashland
MSU music alumni recognized by KMEA include:
- Dr. Kevin Callihan (Class of 2011), director of bands at Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, was named 2025 KMEA High School Teacher of the Year.
- Lynn Pryzgoda (Class of 2002), choir director at Leestown Middle School, was named 2025 KMEA Middle School Teacher of the Year.
MSU music faculty recognized by KMEA include:
- Dr. Lori Baruth, a professor of music – clarinet, performed as clarinet soloist with the All-State Junior High Treble Chorus and the Kentucky Children's Chorus.
- Dr. DuWayne Dale (Class of 1998, 2007), associate professor of music – director of bands, was elected by the KMEA membership as President-Elect. His term of office began on Feb. 9.
- Ryan McGillicuddy, associate professor of music - jazz studies, commercial music, and bass, directed the 2025 Kentucky Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble.
- Dr. Ben Morris, assistant professor of music – saxophone, received the KMEA District 8 College/University Teacher of the Year award.
- Dr. Michele Paise, associate professor of music – music education, presented the conference session "Melodic and Rhythmic Literacy, Fun Ways to Practice."
- Gregory Wing (Class of 1976), professor emeritus of music – trumpet, received the KMEA District 8 Citation for Service.
To learn more about MSU's Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, contact mtd@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2473.
Photo: MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan (center) accepts the KMEA District 8 Administrator of the Year award alongside Dr. David Oyen, chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, & Dance (left) and Aaron Bowling (Class of 2003, 2007), KMEA District 8 technology officer and director of choral activities at Boyd County High School.
Photo credit: MeMe Ratliff (Class of 1995, 2001), MSU Alumni Association board president-elect.
